The Israeli and Hamas delegations failed to reach an agreement in the ceasefire talks in the Gaza Strip because neither side accepted several compromises proposed by the mediators.
A round of high-level talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and hostage deal to temporarily end the 10-month conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza ended on Sunday without a final agreement, according to a U.S. official. But lower-level talks will continue in the coming days to iron out remaining differences.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that “working teams” will remain in Cairo to talk to mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt to resolve outstanding issues. The official described the latest talks, which took place from Thursday to Sunday, as “constructive,” noting that all parties were working toward a “final and workable agreement.”
The talks were attended by CIA Director William Burns and David Barnea, the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. The Hamas delegation was not directly involved in the negotiations but was briefed by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. This development followed intense exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides eventually withdrawing from the wider conflict. Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, reported that around 100 Israeli aircraft had attacked 270 targets, with 90% of the attacks targeting rocket launchers in northern Israel. He mentioned that they are currently assessing the interception rate of incoming rockets and drones, but noted that the “vast majority” had been successfully neutralized.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing over 320 Katyusha rockets at various locations in Israel and using a “large number” of drones. The attacks shocked some Israelis, including 76-year-old retired teacher Saadia Even Tsur in the northern city of Acre. He said he had returned home from the synagogue just five minutes before his bedroom was destroyed and spoke of the “magnitude of the miracle” that saved him when he discovered broken windows and debris on his bed.
Hezbollah chief threatens further measures
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned that further measures could follow if the results of Sunday’s attacks were deemed insufficient. The clashes saw heavy rocket and drone fire from Hezbollah, to which Israel responded by striking several targets.
Despite ongoing tensions, the talks in Cairo are seen as crucial to preventing a wider war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has indicated it could halt its attacks if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. The talks in Cairo, which are attended by senior intelligence officials, are aimed at brokering a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
(With agency contributions)
